2 pilots killed in Russian helicopter crash in Syria

Russia's Defense Ministry says one of its helicopters has crashed in Syria, killing both pilots.

The ministry said late Monday that the Ka-52 attack helicopter crashed on a flight in eastern Syria and that preliminary information indicated the crash was due to technical problems. It did not give further details.

The Ka-52 uses a coaxial rotor system — two rotors on the same axis but rotating in opposite directions.

It was the second fatal incident involving Russian military aircraft in Syria this month. An Su-300 fighter plane crashed into the Mediterranean Sea on May 3 while climbing after takeoff from the Hemeimeem air base, killing both pilots.